Late July or Early August 1685
The Argyll rebellion in Scotland (part of what is known as the Monmouth Rebellion) was led by the head of Clan Campbell, Archibald Campbell, the 9th Earl of Argyll or simply referred to as "Argyll". The uprising was quickly squashed with the capture of Argyll and his subsequent imprisonment and execution.
The great grandfather of the subject of this blog ("JoelCampbell1735") was another Archibald Campbell who was captured at about the same time as the Clan Leader, Argyll. Joel's great grandfather declared that his actions were not voluntary, that he had been "prest" into serving. He claimed that he and his three sons were the "first that made away from the rebells" when they dispersed on the night march toward the Clyde.
The declarations of Archibald and his two sons, Robert and John, state that they took the oath and "owned the King's authority."
Their story of being impressed into service, deserting at the first opportunity, and swearing their allegiance to the King did not seem to lighten the sentences of Robert and John.
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On July 24, 1685 under Entry 45. from Miscellaneous Papers in the The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland:
"BANISHED: - ... John Campbell ... DELAYED: - ... Robert Campbell ... REMITTED TO THE JUSTICES:- ... Archibald Campbell in Paulswork [another nearby prison] ... All in the Canongate tolbooth."[There are at least three John Campbells imprisoned and at least two Archibald Campbells, so these may not be the Kildalvan Campbells, but it seems likely as they are all in Canongate.]
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In late July or early August the judgments of Robert and David Campbles (the third son of Archibald?) are recorded on page 135 of The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland.
"Forasmuch as the persons underwritten, viz.: -- Robert Campble, John Miller, Archbald Caldwall, John Calbraith, Thomas Miller, William Carsan, Hew McConnar, Samuell Grahame, David Campble, James McCullie, Patrick McGartie, James Wightman, Thomas Jackson, and Michael Marshall being conveened befor the Lords of his Majesties Privy Councill to answer severall crymes, and the saids Robert Campble, David Campble, Thomas Jackson, and Michael Marshall haveing refused to take the oath of allegiance, the said Lords have banished and hereby banishes them to his Majesties plantations abroad and never to return to this kingdom without the King or Councills licence, under the pain of death to be inflicted upon them without mercy ..."This seems to contradict the declaration of June 22nd where Robert takes the oath or "owns the King's authority." Could there have been two Robert Campbells? Or did Robert change his mind? Or is there a fine difference between taking the oath and "owning the King's authority?"
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On August 21, 1685 an entry on page 145 in The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland has Robert and David in Canongate prison.
"The Lords of the Committie of his Majesties Privy Councill for publict affairs doe hereby grant order and warrant to the magistrats of Edinburgh and Canongate and keepers of their prisons respective to deliver to Mr George Scot of Pitlochie the persons of ... Robert and David Campbles, prisoners in the tolbooth of Canongate, all formerly banished by the Councill or Justices, to be by him transported to his Majesties plantations abroad off New Jersie, ... "Although there could have been multiple "Robert Campbell"s, the fact that all of these references point to imprisonment in Canongate, gives some confidence that the Robert Campbell who ...
1) was the son of Archibald, tenant in Kildalvan,... indeed were all the same Robert Campbell, the grandfather of the subject of this blog.
2) and who declared that he saw his master Campbell of Kildalvan at the island fortress of Eilean Diarg,
3) and who declared that he had deserted the rebels at his first opportunity,
4) and "owned the King's authority",
5) then later refused to take the oath with fellow Campbell, David, (presumably his brother),
6) was banished to New Jersey,
7) and whose ear was likely cut off to mark him,
8) and sailed with Scot of Pitlocchie ...
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The physical branding of the banished prisoners is spelled out in the The Register of the Privy Council of Scotland on several occasions. The description below comes from page 118.
"And farder the said Lords ordains the saids persons banished by this and the former sentance, who will not oun the Kings authority, to have the following stigma and mark putt upon them that they may be known as banished persons if they shall return to this kingdom viz.: -- that the men have one of their ears cutt off by the hand of the hangmen and that the women be brunt by the same hand on the cheek with a burn-iron marked with the letters ___ , and that befor they be putt aboard in ordor to their transportation, and appoints a chirurgean to be present and to see to their cure."
Jay, nice job putting this together. You must have gotten a copy of the Register of the Privy Council for 1685. I thought there were not copies in the U.S. The only quibble that I have is, at least from my reading of the Register, that Robert Campbell (Camble) was among those few who were banished, but did not have his ear cut off, as opposed the many that were both banished and had their ear cut off. Again, nice job
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